The still undefeated Linzers are the clear favorites in the encounter in Pasching. At Altach, compensation is announced after last week’s derby defeat. Coach Miroslav Klose expects a reaction.
Despite the good start to the season, LASK coach Didi Kühbauer has been warned of the upcoming opponents: “With Altach, we are expecting the next team that wants to beat us. With Miroslav Klose as head coach, they will certainly have new energy.” At the same time, he trusts in his own strengths. “If we get our skills back on the pitch it can end well,” said the 51-year-old.
The live ticker:
“When Wiesi something goes on”
LASK laughs from the top of the table after five rounds played. So far, the people of Linz have scored 13 points, there were only that many at the time of comparison in 2019/20, but never more. The performances shown so far are also to be rated highly because the people of Linz have only played against teams that took part in the upper play-off in the previous season. Kühbauer doesn’t want to take the upcoming, supposedly weaker opponents lightly: “We need good games against every team to be successful.”
In terms of personnel, LASK still has to do without Yannis Letard and Tobias Anselm, who have been injured for a long time. Kühbauer sees progress in Philipp Wiesinger, who is suffering from an irritation of the pubic bone: “Something is going on with Wiesi, he is sending out positive signals.” However, it is still far too early to use it at the weekend.
Linz lost only two of their previous 22 matches against Altach in the Bundesliga, but both in their own stadium. In the previous season, LASK won two of the four duels, once the Vorarlbergers had the upper hand, one game ended in a draw.
Altach lost to Austria Lustenau
A tough analysis was due in Altach after the recent derby defeat against Austria Lustenau. “We’ve worked through everything and addressed it directly,” emphasized Klose. The German was particularly dissatisfied with the intensity brought to the pitch, which was worked on in training last week. With regard to the upcoming task with the leaders of the table, Klose made it clear to the team what reaction he expected. “Pressure and fear played a role against Lustenau. We need players who march away from the front,” demanded the coach.
The strengths of LASK are well known in Vorarlberg. “They have a lot of good individual players, have a good combination and switching game. We have to be wide awake in our heads,” said Klose. In this encounter, the role of favorites clearly tends in the direction of Linz. Altach’s winger Dominik Reiter is also aware of this fact: “We are the outsiders, LASK is in outstanding form. But we are used to the role.”
The absence of the suspended Atdhe Nuhiu is particularly painful. The center forward has already scored four goals this season and has become the most important offensive personality in the Vorarlberg squad. Since the Austro-Kosovar is difficult or almost impossible to replace, Altach could play with a “false nine” in the person of Alexis Tibidi on Saturday. Central defender Felix Strauss is still missing due to a torn ligament in his ankle, otherwise all squad players are available.
Source: Nachrichten
